How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organization’s resilience?

A General Counsel must work aligned with the purpose of the company and their values, especially during complex periods. In Latam, we face different crises, political, economic, social, and regulatory, and we need to be connected to the business, to understand the objectives and necessities.

General Counsel must be capable to understand the context and participate actively in the decision making with a holistic perspective but also with a creative approach. Legal teams support the business during these periods of time and our strategy is anticipate risks, “thinking like a futurist” is a must in these times and for that purpose we must identify trends and connect them with the business.

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

This information is confidential but in general, I can mention that I participate in the legal strategy to face transformation projects in our commercial relations with clients and consumers and I lead the litigation strategy in the main cases.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Sustainability is the center of Pepsico’s business, since the launch of Pepsico Positive or Pep+ in 2021, our company has been working to embed our end-to-end transformation into every aspect of PepsiCo’s business – from how ingredients are grown; to how our iconic portfolio of products is made, moved and sold; to what choices are offered to consumers. Pepsico Is aiming to drive meaningful impact around the world to help build a more sustainable future for people, the planet and our business. Our progress highlights how Pep+ has come to life across our business and is organised across three pillars: i. Positive Agriculture, ii. Positive Value Chain and iii. Positive Choices.
Our role as legal is key in this agenda, we are part of the business and our compromise with the sustainability agenda is the frame of our work, general counsel gives legal efficient support but the most important, we participate actively in this agenda, learning and sharing with our team’s new knowledge. I had the amazing opportunity to work on projects related to the reuse or reduction of water in our operation, new projects related to the management of waste, lead the regulatory and environmental agenda, lead the agenda and relationship with communities and authorities, among others.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

It is very exciting to see how Contract Lifecycle Management is evolving and now, this tools are implementing Artificial Intelligence to improve their support to legal teams in the review of contracts.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

In Pepsico diversity and inclusion are part of our culture, this is the rule but the most important this is what we are as a company.
As General Counsel I consider myself an “ally” and I collaborate actively in this agenda, in my team I always promote to have different perspectives. We are a team of different nationalities, and we have parity, therefore, our diversity is our strength. I’m committed to diversity, and I promote talent. Also, I’m very conscious of understanding the different challenges women face, for example, and flex policies are a big benefit to attract female and young talent.